Millions, Moves, and Milestones: Updates from Babson Businesses

In the past few months, Babson student and alumni businesses have launched
beta testing, landed funding, received accolades, won competitions, and explored
new partnerships. Here are just a few of their updates:

David Zamarin ’19 and his startup Detrapel, which uses nanotechology in its powerful, non-toxic sprays to protect your belongings, was awarded a bronze prize in the 2019 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. Detrapel received $15,000, as well as $1,000 in FedEx Office services.

Aaron Shapiro ’14 and his fintech startup Carver Edison were featured by Bloomberg. Recognizing that employee stock purchase plans disadvantage those who can’t afford the payroll deductions, Carver Edison provides interest-free loans to workers in order to buy stock.

Aaron Shapiro at Carver Edison’s office

Examity, led by CEO and founder Michael London ’92, secured $90 million in funding from Great Hill Partners. Examity works with colleges, universities and employers to provide an anti-cheating software platform where test takers can take examinations remotely. The funding will support research into the application of machine learning and biometrics to create a more secure online testing experience.

Babson marketing professor Lauren Beitelspacher and her Retailing Management class partnered withFlexetail, founded by Joel Kamm MBA’12, to bring a pop-up shop to life. The students sold art from graduates of Raw Art Works, a nonprofit youth arts organization, out of a mobile retail unit provided by Flexetail.

Michael Ioffe

Forefront, co-founded by Yulkendy Valdez ‘17 and Josuel Plasencia ’17, and Arist, co-founded by Ryan Laverty ’20, Michael Ioffe ’21, Joseph Passanante, and Maxine Anderson ’22, were both honored by 2019 Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas. Forefront, a corporate education company specializing in diversity and inclusion training, received a honorable mention in the General Excellence category and Arist, the world’s first SMS university, was honored as a finalist in the Education category.